I'm not familiar with the Atlas AEM-7 with Locomatic control. The description says the loco has a single motor and eight wheel drive. But what is Locomatic Control ?
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It is an early form of command control for sounds, lights, and couplers from the late '90s. To activate it, you have to wire the box that comes with the locomotive to the tracks. I didn't bother since it is the only locomatic locomotive we own. We have the AEM-7 in MARC livery (my younger boy wanted it for his birthday) and while it is not up to the current standards of slow speed operation and sound, it is very nicely detailed and well constructed locomotive. It has a single large Pittman motor and it has plenty of traction and power. If you are looking for a reasonably priced AEM-7, Nicholas Smith had them at blow out prices last spring.
Locomotive is a Dallee control system that is still available from Dallee Electronics. IMO an upgrade to TMCC/Railsounds or PS3 is a better way to go.
Having the AEM7 and ALP44, I have never hooked up the Dallee command system. With the premier cab control car in the original run of Comet cars you could set the dipswitches on both the locomotive and the control car so that the lighting and the horn would come from the part of the train running forward for push -pull. The old challenge with upgrading these was the lack of space in the body for it. Smaller boards will work a lot better. I really like the Atlas version over the MTH version from a detailing and drive standpoint. It is very accurate and has a "tank drive". They are incredible pullers. The Amtrak ones are very reasonably priced too. You don't see the other roads as often.
Just a note on Locomatic. If you decide to try it out, do it on a separate loop. It basically sends a 200kHz signal down the track with an assortment of "tones" that activate certain functions. It is still available and allows S and HO operators to control sounds in a conventional mode.
Lou N
Ray Lombardo posted:It is an early form of command control for sounds, lights, and couplers from the late '90s. To activate it, you have to wire the box that comes with the locomotive to the tracks. I didn't bother since it is the only locomatic locomotive we own. We have the AEM-7 in MARC livery (my younger boy wanted it for his birthday) and while it is not up to the current standards of slow speed operation and sound, it is very nicely detailed and well constructed locomotive. It has a single large Pittman motor and it has plenty of traction and power. If you are looking for a reasonably priced AEM-7, Nicholas Smith had them at blow out prices last spring.
Thanks Ray. That's a clear explanation that even I get. By the way, do you think Nick Smith will extend his blowout sale ?.....LOL I had a bad experience with him some time ago, so I don't shop there.
One more question. can the Atlas AEM-7 be powered with a conventional Lionel ZW ?
Yes. Conventional operation is no issue. That is how my son runs his (conventionally via the TMCC remote).
Hi Dan:
I have had this model on and off over the years, and it's mechanically identical ALP44 counterpart. The color is spot on, and its detail is exquisite. As was mentioned above, it is an amazing puller. I can also vouch for its rather primitive control system. Starts/stops are usually somewhat erratic unless you really learn how to feather the button 'throttles'. The sound is about what you would expect for a 1998 locomotive. At the time, I thought the MTH ProtoSound (1) boards had better sound.
Some time ago I wired a Locomatic box inline with one of my DCS outputs to see how it would work. I have observed no interaction issues whatsoever. The manual does note that the Locomatic signal gets lost if there are other lit accessories on the same circuit (like coaches), which I have observed. This is solved with small series chokes, also prescribed by the manual. I briefly explored upgrading it with DCS, but that would require a permanently attached coach or baggage car to hold the electronics, as there isn't much room under the hood with that Pittman motor. I wish MTH models had that powerplant, it is quite a beast.
Overall it is an excellent model, but I don't run it much due to it's antiquated control.
I run it in conventional, Loco-Matic still in the box.
The Z-4000 buttons work the horn and bell, levers control the speed, all works great.
Has a big motor with big flywheel that makes it run smoothly like it has cruise control, and it looks great with the Amtrak cars it came with.
On my layout, everything does not have to be command controlled.
KISS.
Hi Craig:
I agree completely, which is why I have held on to my Atlas unit. Regretfully however, I tend to be the only one ever operating my layout, so if I break out #908, it pretty well has rule of the system so I can keep a closer eye on it. I do not need any 'cornfield meets' as the manual references. 
There may be a way to fit TMCC into the Atlas O product using the smaller ERR boards. When it first came out, somebody managed to do it but they ended up physically splitting the boards to make it happen. Isn't too much free space in there, even after pulling the Locomatic electronics. It is a very large Pitman.
